Can technology solve our big problems?

Jason Pontin discusses how technology, which once promised to solve all of our big problems, seems to have fallen short of that goal. He explores the reasons behind this and what is needed to get back on track.

The Apollo program was not just a technological triumph but also a symbol of wonder.

It was a monumental effort involving extensive collaboration and left a lasting impact on the astronauts, emphasizing the smallness and fragility of our planet.

Hard problems are hard. It’s not true that we can’t solve big problems through technology. We can, we must, but these four elements must all be present. – Jason Pontin

There has been a notable decline in optimism about technology’s ability to solve big problems.

Big issues like space exploration, clean energy, disease cure, or world hunger now seem more complex and challenging than initially anticipated.

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade, and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. – John F. Kennedy

Silicon Valley and venture capitalists have shifted their focus towards less ambitious and incremental problems, often hesitant to invest in technologies that require significant capital and development time or have no immediate commercial value.

Political systems and economic factors can hinder the resolution of big problems.

For example, transitioning to advanced renewable energy sources is stalled due to these aspects, and sometimes, big problems like space exploration are left unsolved because we prioritize other matters.

To solve big problems, four elements are crucial: public and political interest in the issue, institutional support, the problem being inherently technological, and a deep understanding of the problem.